Wilmington City Code Chapter 2 prohibits keeping livestock, poultry, and farm animals within most residential zones. Chickens, roosters, goats, pigs, and similar animals are not allowed inside city limits without a permit.
Wilmington Code Ch. 2 (Animals) and Ch. 48 (Zoning) treat chickens, ducks, goats, pigs, and other livestock as agricultural uses incompatible with the city's R-1 through R-5 residential districts. New Castle County Animal Services enforces statewide animal welfare under Delaware Code Title 3. Roosters are effectively banned due to noise rules in Ch. 25. Anyone wanting backyard hens must seek a zoning variance from the Wilmington Board of Adjustment, which is rarely granted in dense neighborhoods. Surrounding New Castle County allows limited poultry on larger lots.
Citations under Ch. 2; animals may be impounded by New Castle County Animal Services. Repeat offenders face escalating fines and possible nuisance abatement orders.
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See how Wilmington's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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